Consolidated Edison and More Big Movers in Utilities on November 7, 2012

The market is having a bad day so far. The Nasdaq has fallen 2.7%; the S&P 500 is trading down 2.6%; and the Dow has declined 2.5%. The utilities sector is a category of stocks for utilities such as gas and power. It contains companies such as electric, gas and water firms and integrated providers. Because utilities require significant infrastructure, these firms often carry large amounts of debt. With a high debt load, utilities companies become sensitive to changes in the interest rate. As interest rates rise or drop, the debt payments will increase or decrease. The utilities sector performs best when interest rates are falling or remain low.

The Utilities sector (XLU) is currently ahead of the overall market, down only 2.4%, and its biggest movers are currently:

Company	Market Cap	Percentage Change
New Jersey (NYSE:NJR)	$1.82 billion	-4.3%
National Fuel (NYSE:NFG)	$4.52 billion	-4.1%
South Jersey Industries (NYSE:SJI)	$1.55 billion	-3.7%
Integrys Energy (NYSE:TEG)	$4.25 billion	-3.4%
Targa (NYSE:TRGP)	$2.16 billion	-3.3%
MGE Energy (Nasdaq:MGEE)	$1.21 billion	-3.1%
Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED)	$16.92 billion	-3.1%

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New Jersey (NYSE:NJR) is down 4.3% to reach $41.80 per share. This morning, 53,633 shares have been traded, with trading activity in keeping with yesterday's.

National Fuel (NYSE:NFG) has fallen 4.1% and is currently trading at $52.08 per share. This morning, the company is trading a volume of 70,632 shares. This is 0.2 times the average volume over the last three months.

South Jersey Industries (NYSE:SJI) has fallen 3.7% and is currently trading at $48.49 per share. This morning, the company is trading a volume of 19,678 shares.

Integrys Energy (NYSE:TEG) is trading at $52.40 per share, down 3.4%. So far today, the company's volume is 190,683 shares, in keeping with its current daily average.

Slipping 3.3%, Targa (NYSE:TRGP) is currently trading at $49.21 per share. So far today, the company's volume is 172,742 shares.

At $50.76, MGE Energy (Nasdaq:MGEE) has slipped 3.1%. With 14,357 shares changing hands so far today, the company's volume is 0.4 times the average volume over the last three months.

Falling 3.1%, Consolidated Edison (NYSE:ED) is currently at a share price of $55.96. So far today, the company's volume is 1.3 million shares.

The Bottom Line On any given day, a particular stock may see positive or negative change in its share price. Paying close attention to the previous ratios will help you identify key times to adjust your strategy. Tools like valuation ratios and profit margins, however, are only as useful as the context you put them in; remember to take historical data and competitor performance into account.